Crashes highlight need to drive safe

A SEEMINGLY innocent traffic error led to two separate crashes on either side of the Border yesterday.

A six-year-old boy was taken to hospital for observation after a four-wheel-drive failed to give way and collided with his mother’s car in Wodonga about 9am.

Later that morning, a 26-year-old man failed to give way as he tried to turn right from North Street into Mate Street, North Albury, colliding with a car understood to be driven by Albury-Wodonga Lady Bandits player Rachel Maenpaa.

She was taken to hospital with minor injuries from the airbag being released.

Wodonga police Leading Sen-Constable Guy Tinsley said the morning’s crash was a reminder to drivers to stay focused at all times.

Sen-Constable Tinsley said the Wodonga woman, 51, in a White Toyota HiLux neglected to give way when she turned right into Melrose Drive from Tourmaline Drive.

She turned straight into the path of a blue Holden Commodore, which smashed into the driver’s side of the HiLux, with the impact causing its front to crumple and airbags to activate.

The boy, in the rear of the Commodore, and the 51-year-old were both taken to hospital for observation, while the boy’s 25-year-old mother was unharmed.

Sen-Constable Tinsley said the 51-year-old was issued with a ticket for failing to give way.

“She didn’t think anyone was there and turned straight out onto Melrose Drive,” he said.

“The blue car was heading straight and the white Toyota has come straight out in front of it.”

Both cars required towing.

“Drivers need to remain vigilant at all times,” he said. “When there’s a lot of traffic, take your time.”

The CFA and Ambulance Victoria also attended the scene, watched by a large crowd of onlookers.

It was a similar story in North Albury at 11.56am, with Mate Street reduced to one lane while both cars were towed.

Acting Sgt Nick Fahy, of Albury highway patrol, said police were investigating and had spoken to independent witnesses, but that it appeared the male had failed to give way.